Top Ten Most Anticipated Books For The Second Half of 2017 (These are all UK release dates)

Leave it to the heroes to save the world–villains just want to rule the world.

In this unique YA anthology, thirteen acclaimed, bestselling authors team up with thirteen influential BookTubers to reimagine fairy tales from the oft-misunderstood villains’ points of view.

These fractured, unconventional spins on classics like “Medusa,” Sherlock Holmes, and “Jack and the Beanstalk” provide a behind-the-curtain look at villains’ acts of vengeance, defiance, and rage–and the pain, heartbreak, and sorrow that spurned them on. No fairy tale will ever seem quite the same again!

I will admit that the reason I want to read this is simply the about of hype around it. It seems like a fun concept but the mix between Booktubers and authors makes it a unique concept.

She will become one of the world’s greatest heroes: WONDER WOMAN. But first she is Diana, Princess of the Amazons. And her fight is just beginning. . . .

Diana longs to prove herself to her legendary warrior sisters. But when the opportunity finally comes, she throws away her chance at glory and breaks Amazon law—risking exile—to save a mere mortal. Even worse, Alia Keralis is no ordinary girl and with this single brave act, Diana may have doomed the world.

Alia just wanted to escape her overprotective brother with a semester at sea. She doesn’t know she is being hunted. When a bomb detonates aboard her ship, Alia is rescued by a mysterious girl of extraordinary strength and forced to confront a horrible truth: Alia is a Warbringer—a direct descendant of the infamous Helen of Troy, fated to bring about an age of bloodshed and misery.

Together, Diana and Alia will face an army of enemies—mortal and divine—determined to either destroy or possess the Warbringer. If they have any hope of saving both their worlds, they will have to stand side by side against the tide of war.

I am a massive comic book fan; not necessarily Wonder Woman and I am really unsure about this idea. There’s meant to be 4 of the DC Icons novels and I know of 3 of the authors. I just don’t know how I feel about non-comic authors entering this world. I need to try it out because I don’t think I can be a comic fan without doing so.

It’s another Throne of Glass book before Sarah J. Maas finally writes a concluding book. I am really sad that the series isn’t finishing this year and I’ll actually have to read The Assassin’s Blade because that’s now become the most important book in this whole series apparently.

THIS IS A THING!!!!! ANDY WEIR IS WRITTING ANOTHER FULL LENGTH NOVEL! This is now my most antiicipate book. The Martian is possibly my favourite book of all time. I love Weir’s writing and humour and although it’s not a premise I was as excited for I can’t deny my excitement for this book.

A new storm brews over Central City and disproves the old adage about lightning never, well…you know. Just as Barry begins to feel overwhelmed fighting crime, a new speedster debuts–but just where did this amazing new friend come from? Spinning directly out of the epic events of DC Universe: Rebirth, the Fastest Man Alive finds himself at the center of a DC Universe at a crossroads–and reeling from the reemergence of his protegee, Wally West!

Issues 1-8

Published 24th January 2017

Should Read – 4.5 stars

After the stunning events of DC Universe: Rebirth, the world is left without Superman! Luckily, there is another Man of Steel to fill his shoes: the pre-Flashpoint Kal-El! However, can this new Superman protect the world while raising a super-son with his wife, Lois Lane? And should they help their boy use his new and rapidly increasing abilities, or hide them from the world?

Issues 1-6

Published 4th January 2017

Should read – 4 stars

A Russian Soyuz capsule is coming down from the International Space Station carrying three passengers: one woman and two men. Could this be the end of Yorick’s tenure as last living male?

Issues 11-17

Published 1st April 2004

Should Read – 4 stars

This was actually a pretty good week for comics. I always get overwhelmed when DC reboots their universe and I’ve found that picking up The Flash is the best way because he’s usually at the center of everything. I would recommend this for anyone wanting to get into the reboot along with Wally West.

The Flash was pretty good but it wasn’t as good as some of the older and other Flash stuff I’ve read. I still think comic nerds out there should read it but it’s just a decent Flash book, not much else to shout about.

This is the first Superman book I read, finished, and enjoyed. I’ve always picked up Superman in the hopes I’ll find one I’ll like one day and I guess I finally got to the day. I’ve been trying this for 10 years or so, if that isn’t proof of perseverance then I don’t know what is. It was a little bit confusing but the story line was interesting because it was discussing on his family rather than saving the world.

Another volume of Y the Last Man and it’s still interesting. It does feel like Walking Dead in the sense that it feels like nothing is being accomplished but it all adds to the adventure and story.

Nothing else to say, was just a pretty good comic week. What have you been up to if you’ve had the nice weather like us in the UK?

Feyre has returned to the Spring Court, determined to gather information on Tamlin’s maneuverings and the invading king threatening to bring Prythian to its knees. But to do so she must play a deadly game of deceit-and one slip may spell doom not only for Feyre, but for her world as well.

As war bears down upon them all, Feyre must decide who to trust amongst the dazzling and lethal High Lords-and hunt for allies in unexpected places.

Published 2nd May 2017

699 pages

Must Read – 4.75 stars

Read from 4th to 11th May

Ok, so I’m finally sitting down to write this review and what a roller coaster this was. I can’t believe how far this series and Sarah J. Maas has come.

I know from hearing some people’s opinions that this isn’t the spectacular book they were looking for, but you know what, I loved it. This could be a number of reasons but I mostly think that it’s because I just don’t expect as much from this series as the other series that I read or the Throne of Glass. I picked this up on a whim but I’ve never been obsessive about it. I do love this series but it’s just in a different way.

So I think it’s better to look at this book as a conclusion to a story arc because it was originally meant to be three books and it’s probably better to assess this book that way rather than the discussion of if it should have stayed as three books. I have my opinions and annoyances as to this issue that has been discussed enough.

So this is a big book and there is a lot that goes on. For me it feels like a traditional finale with three parts. So we all know that there’s going to be a big fight and there’s a lot that happens to leading up to it. The weakest part was definitely the first section and 200 pages. Being back in Tamlin’s spring court just gave too many mixed feelings. People hate Tamlin, I get it, but I think the hate is too strong, what I can’t forgive is the hate of Lucien, cause I love him and I am so happy for the redemption we get in this book.

Feyre has come SUCH a long way. She has just grown so much and to see her intelligence (mixed with some stupid actions I will admit) and to see how conniving she is. I like how she clearly has a plan of action and is driven to carry out her part. My main problem is her oversights; she just lacked the ability to see the bigger picture and consequence. But being honest she should have understood some part of this rather than everything. She was quite rash but I could deal with it. So many people love Feyre but I’m just not the biggest fan, there are way better female characters out there main and side and much much stronger. I think the best comparison to explain is looking at Kelsea from Queen of the Tearling, she goes through so much pain and has impossible tasks and sacrifices herself and does a much better job that Feyre.

I like the relationships in this and it’s definitely the best part of this series and this book. We learn so much about the inner circle and the Night Court. I do have some problems because some just felt so forced in, I think it should have maybe had more of the foundations in ACOMAF.

I think that this does have a reasonable conclusion, it is sort of left open and I would maybe have liked an epilogue with Feyre and Rhys and the others to get a glimpse of what happened afterwards. I think this is the main problem with the future books. I am really excited for the future books because I do just love this world.

I am still more in favour of ACOMAF and I think a lot of people are.

We did it! I wrote my review! It was much easier than it has been, I’m trying to get back into my reviews, I just don’t know if it’s the problem of what I’ve been reading or just my mood in general.

Ok so this time around I’ll be telling you all the comics I’ve read since I took a break. There’s a lot so settle in and get ready because I’ve read some pretty good comics.

As a part of the monumental DC Comics—The New 52 event, comics superstars Geoff Johns and Jim Lee bring you an all-new origin story for the Justice League!In a world where inexperienced superheroes operate under a cloud of suspicion from the public, loner vigilante Batman has stumbled upon a dark evil that threatens to destroy the earth as we know it. Now, faced with a threat far beyond anything he can handle on his own, the Dark Knight must trust an alien, a scarlet speedster, an accidental teenage hero, a space cop, an Amazon Princess and an undersea monarch. Will this combination of Superman, The Flash, Cyborg, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman and Aquaman be able to put aside their differences and come together to save the world? Or will they destroy each other first?

Issues 1-6

Published 8th May 2012

Must Read – 5 stars

Now that the team’s origin story is complete, we shift to the present-day Justice League! What has changed? Who has joined the team since? And why does Green Arrow want to join those ranks so badly? Plus, the birth of a new super-villain! Someone is out to get the Justice League and he is determined to show the world how mortal these godlike beings really are!

Issues 7-12

Published 5th February 2013

Try It – 3.5 stars

Superboy is back — and can’t wait to jump back into his life in these tales from ADVENTURE COMICS #0-3 and 5-6, plus a tale from SUPERMAN SECRET FILES 2009. But which life will it be? Conner makes a beeline for the greatest place on Earth: Smallville. While Conner reunites with his former girlfriend, Wonder Girl, Lex Luthor and Brainiac form a partnership that will cause havoc throughout the DC Universe.

Issues : Collection

Published 1st July 2011

Should Read – 4 stars

Wally West is back in the DCU and he’s once again teamed up with former teen heroes and fan-favorite characters like Nightwing, Donna Troy, Arsenal and more!

Spinning directly out of the events of DC Universe: Rebirth, this new band of Titans are on a quest to find out the truth behind the earth-shattering, universe-changing revelations that Wally ushered in in his return to the world he thought he’d lost. Wally, Donna, Arsenal, Garth, Lilith and Nightwing are on the hunt for the mysterious force that erased their memories, forcing them to forget what they could accomplish together. Reunited with their memories returned, the Titans must destroy the interdimensional demon that broke them apart and threatens reality itself.

Issues 1-6

Published 7th March 2017

Must Read – 5 stars

The greatest heroes in comics together on one unbeatable team! The Avengers “go large,” expanding their roster and their sphere of influence to a global and even interplanetary level. When Captain America puts out his call – who will answer? Big threats, big ideas, big idealism – these are the Avengers NOW!

Issues 1-6

Published 4th March 2014

Try It- 3 stars

A new storm brews over Central City and disproves the old adage about lightning never, well…you know. Just as Barry begins to feel overwhelmed fighting crime, a new speedster debuts–but just where did this amazing new friend come from? Spinning directly out of the epic events of DC Universe: Rebirth, the Fastest Man Alive finds himself at the center of a DC Universe at a crossroads–and reeling from the reemergence of his protegee, Wally West!

Issues 1-8

Published 24th January 2017

Must Read – 4.5 stars

I am a massive fan of the justice league because I really love group dynamics and sometimes you just want a really cool action packed epic story with action. It’s much easier to get a more well rounded story and it is more top level because of the numerous characters involved. Justice League: Origin did a much better job of bringing the characters and story together than Avengers world did this. I was dissappointed in Volume 2 as the first one was just such a stand out. I still love Aquaman and I don’t care what anyone says.

So many know my dislike of Superman but Superboy doesn’t fall in the same boat. I don’t quite know what the difference is but this was quite an enjoyable and simple one off comic. I would recommend it to anyone that likes the teen Titans and shares my love of Red Robin.

So there isn’t much to say about Avengers world. It was such a weird and abstract story-line that I found it really hard to get into it. I also got really upset with the sudden art style change. The first half of this had one of the most beautifully drawn art styles I’ve ever seen and it just changed to this really basic style. Now don’t get me wrong it wasn’t badly drawn but in comparison it was just so lackluster and I did not appreciate it.

I picked up Titans because of a review over on Bookwraiths that you can check out here. It was such a shinning review and was well deserved. I really loved this. It was something so fresh and new within the DC world and had my true love Nightwing in it. What’s not to like?! This was just so interesting to get into and I would highly recommend it. I want to link this to the Flash comic as it was jsut so similar but because of the alternate timelines and universes going on it got super confusing. The Flash is one of my most loved heroes and he just felt a little flat in this. I really liked this but my main problem was how each issue finished. It was not a seamless transition making the bind up much worse than monthly comics. There was a cliffhanger in each issue that didn’t continue on in the next and I just don’t understand that decision.

I’m really glad to be back at these comic discussions and would love any comic book discussion you’ve got.

Three years ago, Alison disappeared after a slumber party, not to be seen since. Her friends at the elite Pennsylvania school mourned her, but they also breathed secret sighs of relief. Each of them guarded a secret that only Alison had known. Now they have other dirty little secrets, secrets that could sink them in their gossip-hungry world. When each of them begins receiving anonymous emails and text messages, panic sets in. Are they being betrayed by some one in their circle? Worse yet: Is Alison back? A strong launch for a suspenseful series.

1st October 2006

286 pages

Try It – 3 stars

Read from 1st to 5th May

So I’m writing this while waiting on an email to tell me where my first work placement will be. I’m super nervous, I know one girl who has hers and my wee heart is racing which isn’t good considering my health issues. (Going to Warton, which is near Preston, super happy and excited!)

This was a really good guilty pleasure read. It’s like a really over the top and gossipy. It just so hard to put it down with all the drama going on. I was surprised with so many perspectives but the mystery aspect is just so addicting. In all honesty I don’t really like any of the characters except maybe Aria and Emily. Out of them all the two of them don’t seem too bad.

I have only heard about this because of the show and I think I’ve only seen the first episode. Usually if I was going to watch something along these lines then I would watch Gossip Girl. However, I think I would have preferred this when I was a bit younger, also American teens just feel so young to me. I have been having this a lot lately in the contemporary scene. Thinking about the fact that I am graduating before I could legally drink in America is just such a strange thing to me.

So many books are based in America and unfortunately the ages just feels so different to that of British teens and the things I was doing at their age. The thing is these girls are what 16/17 but some of them feel so much younger that it’s really hard to connect with.

My main problem is that in reading contemporaries it has to be YA because adult are just so boring and they’re dealing with things out with my experience. However, I have recently picked up a NA by Colleen Hoover and loved that so maybe I’m moving away from these kinds of books.

Ok, returning from my tangent. I did enjoy this book but the plot and story are pretty thin. It feels like a more introductory book to the characters but with how short these books are I don’t see why the author wouldn’t put 2 or even 3 of them together to make things feel that much fuller. If I see the sequel then I will pick it up but I’m not rushing to get to it.

One snowy night a famous Hollywood actor slumps over and dies onstage during a production of King Lear. Hours later, the world as we know it begins to dissolve. Moving back and forth in time—from the actor’s early days as a film star to fifteen years in the future, when a theater troupe known as The Travelling Symphony roams the wasteland of what remains—this suspenseful, elegiac, spellbinding novel charts the strange twists of fate that connect five people: the actor, the man who tried to save him, the actor’s first wife, his oldest friend, and a young actress with the Traveling Symphony, caught in the crosshairs of a dangerous self-proclaimed prophet. Sometimes terrifying, sometimes tender, Station Eleven tells a story about the relationships that sustain us, the ephemeral nature of fame, and the beauty of the world as we know it.

Published 9th September 2014

333 pages

Skip It – 2.5 stars

Read from 26th to 29th April

I apologise for some of my language throughout. I am using a lot of more ‘high level’ language due to my university course and exams. I tend to write how I think and don’t want to put it through a thesaurus to make it more relatable. I also apologise if this makes me sound stuck up because you understand or don’t understand the language used and don’t enjoy it.

So I wish to start off by saying that I didn’t dislike this book because this might seem like a really negative book review. At the same time I can’t say that I like this book, it is indifferent to me. In all honesty I think that is the worst thing you can say about a book because at least a like or dislike will elicit some feelings from you and you take something away from it.

For me this is an incredibly forgettable book. I’m not saying that people raved about this book but I have heard so many positive things from many people picking it up. It just wasn’t what I was expecting.

On the whole it just seems poorly executed. There are so many themes and what would seem like moral ideas that the author wants you to take away from it. But in doing this there is no depth and it’s just a very thin and poor story. The only redeeming quality is some of the characters. This is very character driven but the convenient but lose connection between many of the main characters is frustrating in all honesty.

I knew reading it that everyone would come together but I can’t honestly say that I cared or that it mattered in the end. It was just such a poor conclusion with an abysmal climax. There was a small plot twist and that’s about the only thing that garnered a reaction from me.

I don’t understand what the author was aiming for. It was like she had an idea of an apocalyptic world and the event that caused it but then couldn’t develop the idea. Either that are she’s trying to create a view upon society and community. Or she is trying to display the cruelty/insanity of humanity. Or even the selfishness and removed natures of human and their world. Maybe she is trying to discuss the privileged nature and flippantness we all harbour. As you can see, this is the problem I addressed in the beginning. These are all possible themes and they’re poorly developed individually. In contrast if this is what the author is going for then it is horribly pretentious and should be left in the study of classics in our school English lessons.

I think what sealed by indifference was the discovery of the ‘questions for discussion’ at the end of the book. Upon discussing my dislike with this book with my boyfriend informed me that this was a possible choice of texts for his English A-level class. At this stage I was thoroughly finished with this book.

I would certainly not recommend this to anyone but I also wouldn’t tell people not to read it because for me it should just disappear into the field of unknown. There are so many problems in the world and it feels like this book is trying to reflect this but it just fails so much in my opinion.

So it’s quite late in the day for me and I really considered not doing this but lets make it short because then I feel accomplished and you get to read something. I’ve just been really into other things at the moment (mostly crochet, pics below) and blogging and reviews have been quite hard. I still haven’t wrote my review for ACOWAR and I have no clue where to start, do you ever just get overwhelmed by a book that you find it so impossible to even think about, never mind try, writing a review for it?

Recently Finished

ACOWAR I just can’t discuss, it’s such a good book and people should really read this series, especially now that this arc of the story is finished. I know a few people that are waiting on Lord of Shadows to come out as they pre-ordered them together so they get shipped together.

Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda was the perfect book to read after ACOWAR. IT was just so cute and simple and interesting and the writing style was just what I needed.

I’ve actually been reading a lot of comics (I know I haven’t been doing my Comic Book Monday but I’m going to try getting back to it).

Currently Reading

This is super weird and I’m not sure if I am enjoying it or not but the good thing is that I’m reading it as part of my monthly buddy read so it’ll really push me to finishing it.

Read Next

Ok…. I totally forgot and didn’t realise that Flame in the Mist comes out tomorrow, I was thinking about what I was going to read if I finished More Than This before Lord of Shadows came out.

I don’t know how my reading is going to go because I might drop Flame in the Mist in favour of Lord of Shadows because I’m just much more excited for that.

Well I love short posts, I hope you’re all doing well and if you’re in Britain that you’re making the most of our weather!